Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The recent murder of unarmed teenager Mike Brown by a
Ferguson police officer while his “hands were in the air” has racial tension at
an all-time high. Thousands have flooded to Missouri to demand justice for the
high school graduated headed to attend college.

Mike Brown’s life mattered. National community organizations
cannot develop effective solutions and strategies for Ferguson if their
organizers have not spent time in the area to learn the landscape and culture.

Our best service to the community of Ferguson is to tell the
truth. It’s our civic duty to ensure that their voices are not silenced. Carey
Jenkins, Program Coordinator for American Friends Service Committee, went to
Ferguson to support young leaders on the ground. “Some were tear gassed, shot
with rubber bullets, many were arrested all for nonviolent protest. Human and
Constitutional Right are being violated. Babies, women, elderly, handicapped,
and journalists are being bombarded with tear gas. None of that mattered to the
police as the media tried to paint a negative picture of peaceful protesters
what I witnessed were those sent to protect and serve as the aggressors."
Stated Jenkins.

There's a silver lining to the madness we have seen unfold
in Ferguson. Young people of color are self organizing around the country,
holding rallies, walk outs, and group discussions. Vital conversations about
race are being forced onto our TVs, social media news feeds, campuses, and
other public spaces.

The generation currently coming of age is believed to be the
most progressive, least homophobic, least racist generation in American history
and there are signs they are awakening to spark a movement our country has been
in dire need of.

Racism, lack of access to political power, and wealth inequality
aren't problems solved with a few protests; it will take more than a movement
moment.

Is this generation ready to do the hard work of building and
leading the movement our communities need? That's the question many are
optimistically asking.